Another Brick in the Wall
The Wall was played at the Berlin Wall at the time it fell, and it will be played from beginning to end in Toronto this Saturday when former Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters plays the Rogers Centre. The iconic album may have larger political leanings, but to Waters, it represents growing up after losing a father, which he said helped him to empathize with others. And don’t forget: you can’t have your pudding without first eating your meat.
Docs at the (quasi) drive-in
Open Roof Festival, an outdoor music and film series, kicks off its summer screening season tonight. Held in the vacant parking lot at the Amsterdam Brewery (which means loads of delicious brewskis), local bands will perform on stage before the film screenings. The film lineup includes Fat Kid Rules The World, China Heavyweight and Indie Game: The Movie. Meanwhile, the band roster boasts Parlovr, Bruce Peninsula, Dusted and others. Tonight’s premiere features Marley, a biopic of the legendary Bob Marley, and will be catered by One Love (how fitting). Can’t make it tonight? Not to worry, the festival runs throughout the summer, until August 23.
Queer kick-off
Despite the latest stickiness at City Hall, Pride Week officially kicks off Friday and runs until July 1. This weekend’s agenda includes LGBT kayak lessons, a gender-oriented talk on video games and a live erotic photography shoot. And what better way to celebrate diverse sexual and gender identities than a co-ed burlesque workshop?
Brewer’s bash
Now that it’s officially summer, we have frosty beers on the brain. This weekend is the second annual Session Craft Beer Festival, a tribute to craft beer masters. The $35 ticket gets you samples of more than 100 different beers, a magic show, a comedy show and live music. Burger Bar, The Sassy Lamb, Cowbell and Rock Lobster Food Co. will also be providing food to help soak up the delicious hops.
Boats ‘n’ oars
More than 5,000 athletes from all over will assemble on the Toronto islands June 23 and 24 for the International Dragon Boat Race. After 24 years, the festival will pit almost 200 teams against each other for one intense team challenge. If paddling isn’t your thing, in addition to the race, local and international food and entertainment booths will run throughout the festival. Plus, part of the proceeds will go towards the Canadian Diabetes Association.
